Independent Living: A Human Right

[SARN Memo for January 28, 2009]

In many places, people with disabilities do not get equal treatment. Many states still run large institutions to house people with disabilities. And many of us live in poverty.

But we have rights. In 2007, the United Nations passed a new law. It says people with disabilities have the same rights as everyone else. It says we have the right to live on our own. And we have the right to the support we need to live well.

1. The Problem: Isolation and Poverty
2. What Does the New UN Law Say?
3. Group Activity: I Want to Live Like This
4. Resource

• Respond to this memo!

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1. The Problem: Isolation and Poverty

Sound familiar?

• I want to get out of this big institution.
• I live a long way from shops, and have no way to get to them.
• They told me I have to live with someone I don’t know.
• I don’t have enough money for food and clothes.

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2. What Does the New UN Law Say?

Here are some of what the new law says about the right to independent living (paraphrased):

• We decide where we live.
• We decide who we live with.
• We decide how we live.
• We need key information so we can decide what is best for us.
• Independent does NOT mean that no one helps us.
• We have the right to support to be as independent as we can be.
• Our choices should be respected, not ignored.
• We have the right to a decent life: enough food, enough clothing, a place to live, clean water.

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3. Group Activity: I Want to Live Like This

Gather a large variety of pictures showing where and how people live. Spread them out on a table. Tell folks: “We’re going to consider how we’d like to live.” Give folks five minutes to look at the pictures in silence. Then invite all (in silence) to choose one that shows how he or she wants to live. Take turns telling why you chose your photo.

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4. Resource

We Have Human Rights
(28 pp, full color)
Today’s memo is based on a dynamite new book for people with developmental disabilities. You can use it to learn about your rights. You can also use it to talk with others about your rights. It even has great exercises for your group. It’s written for self-advocates around the world.

1. Free download. Get a free download copy of the book from the publisher, Harvard Project on Disability.
2. Order a hard copy. Order hard copies of the book in volume discounts from ACT’s online catalog.

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